The Rapids turned heads at the MLS draft last month when they selected Deshorn Brown at No. 6, one spot ahead of central defender Walker Zimmerman from Furman. Zimmerman went one pick later to FC Dallas at No. 7.

Several pre-draft predictions had Zimmerman as a top-5 pick. And Zimmerman interviewed with the Rapids in pre-draft meetings.

“We liked Zimmerman. I wanted Zimmerman,” Pareja said. “But I was very sure what I wanted if Zimmerman and Brown came into play at the same time.”

Pareja said he picked Brown over Zimmerman because he really wanted a forward.

“If Brown wouldn’t be there, I would choose Zimmerman. If Zimmerman comes with Brown (at the same time), I was positive to bring in Brown,” Pareja said. “That’s the guy I wanted. Regardless of the position, it was the need we had (at forward).”

Pareja said his forward-pressing mind came into play.

“Definitely, you will know that my attacking instincts will come up more.”

That Pareja felt forward was a position of need at the MLS draft, more than defender, might be a clue as to how settled he sees the Rapids’ backline right now (with central defenders Drew Moor, Marvell Wynne and Diego Calderon).

The Rapids open their season March 2 — against Zimmerman and FC Dallas.

Zimmerman, for background, seemed pretty surprised when the Rapids skipped him in the draft: